About This List

The songs here are variously called bluegrass songs, old-time songs, mountain
music songs, folk songs… all different names for what we broadly call
people music.

Most of the songs featured here are also available (with chords) in our songbooks.

What is ‘Mountain Music’?

The songs here are old, pre-radio songs. Many come from the rich musical
traditions of 19th-century Appalachia. Thus, they have a special, “stood the test of time” quality to them.

Mountain music comes from two very distinct and age-old musical traditions: African and European. These traditions blended into what is informally known as “mountain music” through years of cross-pollination in the impoverished rural mountains of Appalachia (USA) during the 1800’s.

This combination of melodic and rhythmic styles became the foundation for jazz, blues, rock and roll, country, bluegrass, modern folk and more. It is this unique “synthesis” quality that makes “mountain music” a perfect launchpad for those ‘modern’ styles and a perfect ‘home base’ for followers of other styles to come together.

Song Origins

Most of these songs in the public domain, though a few may not be—it can be
very hard to tell sometimes. Some are traditional songs with no known
author, others were originally old parlor songs that have gone out of
copyright. However, they all “traditional” in the sense that
they have entered the oral tradition.

The “Core Songs” Designation [core]

We picked 100 songs that represent some of the best and most
commonly-played songs in ‘people music’. They're featured in our
songbooks as well as a CD series; see below.
[core] indicates a "core song."

Like Big Print Songs, except only the 100 Core Songs are included. But you also get
our acclaimed playing-by-ear learning method, a 49-track companion CD,
and supplemental online instruction videos. Read more and look inside.

A compact reference book with lyrics and chords for 330 songs. Includes a full
ToneWay Music Method reference. Read more and look inside.

Testimony for the ToneWay Method

“I have been trying to teach myself mandolin for 7 years, and average buying one book a year. Get Started is the best book yet! It was obviously written by people who care about the reader actually learning something.”Bill Herzog, Rogue River, OR(read more quotes)

“Your book was very inspiring and very well written, definitely the best music advice I've ever received. Thanks a lot!”Mike McCormick, Meadville, PA(read more quotes)

“I tried your Method and it worked for me. After a couple of years of trying to play the fiddle this is what I’ve been looking for!”Joseph Czeiszperger, Louisville, KY(read more quotes)

“The book [Get Started] is excellent, even for a slow learner like myself! Thank you so much for your help.”Toni, Houston, TX(read more quotes)

“I've just spent the last few days playing fiddle nonstop out of a method book called "Get Started." [...] I love this book. I love playing the fiddle. This is So Fun!!!”JessicaRose on Fiddle Hangout (read more quotes)

“I spent endless hours in the past memorizing notation for picking songs. Within the first few days [of using the ToneWay Method], I can now pick some by ear. Thanks so much!”Todd Boughan, Lima, OH(read more quotes)

“I started with the ToneWay Method yesterday and really enjoy it! It has filled in many holes and questions about how music works and how to find my way around a fretboard. Good job!”Dave Lyons, Aspen, CO(read more quotes)

“Your method makes playing a lot of fun...if I had your book a few years ago (when I started playing), I would've had a lot more fun with my guitar, and I would have been invited to a lot more jams.”Jack Gottlob, New Jersey(read more quotes)

“I'm having so much fun learning these old songs and playing my mandolin along with the CD. I really don't know where else I could have gotten such a resource!”Mary Ann Eason, South GA(read more quotes)

“Just got your book and CD, which I love. It has helped me more than anything I've done the last two years to get me up to speed playing with my little bluegrass group here in Colorado.”Anni Porter, Palmer Lake, CO(read more quotes)

“[The ToneWay Method] has converted me from a strictly tab/closet player to a play-by-ear jammer! Their starter book...is loaded with deeper explanations of much of the advice mentioned in this thread.”Jo_Surf on Banjo Hangout (read more quotes)

“I am trying your method and have found it to be of great help in my learning process. It has helped me understand the relationship of the notes and where they are on my Dobro.”Joe Dinger, Bringhurst, IN(read more quotes)

“One sure thing I got from your book was the confidence to sing. Before your book I didn't know I could. It's fun! Thanks for everything.”Jim McCoy, Brenham, TX(read more quotes)

“I am so enjoying my ‘Mountain Music for Everyone’ book and CD. It is a blessing indeed. It is fixing my timing and my ear!!!”Don Diehl, Sapulpa, OK(read more quotes)

“I sing and play guitar by ear already, but your material is helping me understand some of what I've already been doing, and teaching me some more to boot.”Tony, New York(read more quotes)

“I am enjoying the book and figured out how to pick the tune for Shady Grove. Your system is ingenious. Harriet and I have been playing together for a couple of weeks and we're having a great time.”Susan Becker, Capitola, CA(read more quotes)

About the Project

Our family's effort to support the tradition of communal music began in 2001…
Read our story »

“Many think you must get good to play with others. We say it's better to play with others to get good.”